H4 design question
 

I managed to get one of the H4s on by applying some pressure and eventually getting it to snap into position and then tightening the screw. It looks perfect and is securely in place, but is this the right way to get the H4 on? I'm having a lot of trouble putting the other one on and I'm afraid to apply the pressure necessary to get it "on" the same way I did before. What is the usual manner? I read the tech article and it doesn't say much about the positioning of the unit.

Please advise.

Thanks.

The ring "hooks onto" a lip at the top of the fender opening and is then "rotated down" (you may feel a slight "snap" but it shouldn't take much force) so the screw at the bottom can be installed. The screw is at an odd angle so it may take some maneuvering to get it to engage.

That's how I remember it.

Jerry M
'78 SC

You were right. But I must say hooking the top is the pain in the ass since the seal interferes with the "hook" on the trim ring. I ended up putting the screw in first part way, rotating up instead of down, then tightening the screw. Worked pretty well. I couldn't do it the other way no matter what I tried.

Thanks for your help.

My apologies to Herr Doctor et all but the design is kind of a pain, especially after a repaint with thick clearcoat. The mounting of the bottom screw is also facing upwards-in the direction of the top slip fit.

I ended up carefully sanding down the entire ring to metal and still couldn't get that great "slip over top and press sides with a uniform pop" fit.
Getting a hard fitting ring off is pretty delicate next to fresh paint. Temporary masking tape placed on the edges can prevent minor scratches but not much more.

I started in with a hammer and tapping around the sides in and out with a flat punch but am now feeling like that is pushing the envelope because the headlight buckets are seperate from the fenders and welded into place. Visegrips probably would be safer .

I had the same problem. Here's the trick:

Stretch the seal across the top ( not too much) and seat down around the sides. The stretched seal is thinner and seats better at the top, allowing enough room at the flange for the ring to clip in.

It worked for me anyway.